Compression garment

ABSTRACT

A compression garment comprises a plurality of longitudinal yarns arranged to form a fabric having a length and generally parallel to the length, and a plurality of transverse elastomeric yarns connecting adjacent longitudinal yarns and equally spaced about a length of the longitudinal yarns. In a stretched state, the longitudinal yarns are spaced from one another and remain generally parallel to the length.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of and also claims thebenefit of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/063,114 filedFeb. 22, 2005 now abandoned. Said U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.No. 11/063,114 filed Feb. 22, 2005 is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to medical garments. More specifically, theinvention relates to therapeutic compression garments.

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic garments and stockings are well known in the art and come invarious configurations and are put to various uses. Compression therapyis primarily used for treating leg ulcers, treating dermatitis due tovenous insufficiency (failure of veins and their valves to return bloodto the heart), and treating congenital and acquired lymph edema and fortreating edema due to congestive heart failure.

Known therapeutic compression garments and stockings are worn over theaffected extremity and apply compression to the extremity which isgenerally evenly or smoothly distributed or applied to the surface areaof the extremity. This compression assists the patient's venous returnsystem in removing and returning blood from the extremity and towardsthe heart.

However, current therapeutic compression garments and stockings sufferfrom various drawbacks. One such drawback is that at any circumferencealong the length of the extremity, the known stockings apply a generallyevenly distributed pressure about the limb. This relatively evenlydistributed “pressure ring” tends to have a tourniquet effect on thelimb which actually inhibits venous return. Also, known compressivestockings tend to slide more or less freely over the skin as theextremity to which the stocking is applied moves. This will occasionallyproduce a shearing injury to the skin. Shearing injury may also occurwhen the compression garment is put on or removed from the treated limb.

Additionally, prior art compression stockings are generally not welltolerated by patients as they tend to be uncomfortable, hot, causeexcessive sweating of the underlying skin, all of which often limits theextent to which a patient may wear the prior art stocking.

The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed aboveand other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not providedby prior stockings of this type. A full discussion of the features andadvantages of the present invention is deferred to the followingdetailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

SUMMARY

It is an aspect of one embodiment of the invention to provide acompression garment comprising a plurality of longitudinal yarnsarranged to form a fabric having a length and generally parallel to thelength. The garment has a plurality of lateral elastomeric yarnsconnecting adjacent longitudinal yarns and equally spaced about a lengthof the longitudinal yarns where, in a stretched state, the longitudinalyarns are spaced from one another and remain generally parallel to thelength. The longitudinal yarns may have a fuzzy outer surface and/or alarger diameter than the lateral yarns.

It is a further aspect of one embodiment of the invention to providethat when the garment is worn by a patient and in contact with andapplying compression to a skin of the patient and in a stretched statesuch that each longitudinal yarn is spaced from any adjacentlongitudinal yarn, each longitudinal yarn presses into the skin and theskin stents each longitudinal yarn by forming a longitudinal furrow inthe skin that receives the longitudinal yarn, the furrow tending toprevent relative movement of each longitudinal yarn with respect to theskin.

In an additional embodiment of the disclosure, a device includes, but isnot limited to, a plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns in asubstantially longitudinal formation; a plurality of secondary yarnsbetween at least two of the plurality of substantially parallel primaryyarns and substantially equally spaced about a length of the pluralityof primary yarns, the adjacent primary yarns and secondary yarnsconnected to form a generally tubular configuration, the plurality ofsecondary yarns connected to adjacent primary yarns at an angle greaterto or less than 90 degrees with respect to the plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns, and maintaining a continuouslongitudinal arrangement of the plurality of substantially parallelprimary yarns during any stretch state of the plurality of substantiallyparallel primary yarns.

In an additional embodiment of the disclosure, a method for forming afabric includes, but is not limited to, forming a plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns in a substantially longitudinalformation; forming a plurality of secondary yarns between at least twoof the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns andsubstantially equally spaced about a length of the plurality of primaryyarns, further including arranging the plurality of secondary yarns toconnect to adjacent primary yarns at an angle greater to or less than 90degrees with respect to the plurality of substantially parallel primaryyarns; and connecting adjacent primary yarns and secondary yarns to forma generally tubular configuration provide continuous longitudinalarrangement of the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarnsduring any stretch state of the plurality of substantially parallelprimary yarns.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing specification taken in conjunction with the followingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a fabric constructed according to the presentinvention in a stretched state;

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing a stocking made of the material of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic showing an elbow tube made of the material of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic showing a stump tube made of the material of FIG.1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of a pair of shorts made of the material of FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a partial schematic of a portion of a circulatory system of apatient;

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a patient's extremity in cross section in a“normal” state;

FIG. 8 is a schematic of a patient's extremity in cross section in astate of venous stasis disease;

FIG. 9 is a schematic similar to FIG. 8 showing the application of aprior art compression stocking;

FIG. 10 is a schematic similar to FIG. 8 showing the application of acompression garment according to the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for forming acompression garment according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broadaspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

FIG. 2 shows a therapeutic compression dressing or garment 10 accordingto the present invention having a generally tubular form. The fabric 12from which the tubular compression garment 10 is formed is shown in moredetail in FIG. 1. It can be seen that the fabric 12 includes a pluralityof primary or longitudinal yarns 14 and a plurality of secondary,lateral or connective yarns 16. The primary yarns 14 are arranged to besubstantially parallel with a longitude L of the tubular compressiongarment 10. The secondary yarns 16 extend between and connect adjacentprimary yarns 14, to be further described. The secondary yarns 16 arearranged to be transverse to the longitude L. It can be seen that in theembodiment shown in the FIGS., the secondary yarns 16 are arranged at anangle other than about 90 degrees to the longitude L.

The fabric 12 is knitted using a criss-crossing lateral stitch on a warpknitting machine. For instance, at least a portion of the plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns and the plurality of secondaryyarns may be formed from a criss-crossing lateral stitch on a warpknitting machine to form the plurality of substantially parallel primaryyarns and the plurality of secondary yarns. A resulting typical tube offabric 12 includes 60 continuous longitudinal yarns 14 connected by aplurality of secondary or lateral yarns 16. Because of the six courserepeat chain stitch that is used, when a tube of fabric 12 is stretchedradially about any length of the fabric 12, the longitudinal yarns 14maintain their longitudinal orientation with respect to the overall tubeof fabric 12. This is in contrast to other fabrics that may arguablyinclude longitudinal and lateral yarns in an initial or relaxed state,wherein when stretched, the longitudinal yarns 14 become arranged at anangle to the longitude of a tube made from the fabric.

In one preferred embodiment, and as shown, the primary or longitudinalyarns 14 comprise a standard 3 ply 70 nylon yarn having mildlongitudinal recovery. One or more individual longitudinal yarns 14 ofthe plurality of longitudinal yarns 14 are fuzzy medical grade nylonknitted yarns arranged to form a fabric cylinder having a length andgenerally parallel to the length. The longitudinal yarn 14 is capable ofbeing stretched between a first un-stretched length and a second orstretched position with a fully stretched length being approximately350% longer than the unstretched length. Specifically, in a stretchedstate, (e.g., when deployed on a human extremity or torso of propersize), the longitudinal yarns 14 may be spaced with a ratio of aboutfour yarn diameters between one another and remain generally parallel tothe length.

The secondary yarns 16 comprise an elastomeric thread and are typicallymade from a polymer containing polyurethane such as commerciallyavailable spandex products. It is important to note that the diameter ofeach longitudinal yarn 14 is significantly larger than the diameter ofeach secondary yarn 16. Preferably, the diameter of the longitudinalyarn 14 is approximately 11 times larger than the diameter of thesecondary yarn. The plurality of elastomeric yarns may be elastomeric(e.g., spandex) or like elastic material and may connect adjacentlongitudinal to form a fabric cylinder of longitudinal fuzzy yarnsequally spaced about a length of the longitudinal yarn.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a partial schematic of aportion of a circulatory system of a patient. FIG. 6 shows a schematicof a model of a venous pump in a patient's extremity, such as a leg.FIG. 6 shows a superficial vein 18 including various venous valves 20.Also shown is a popliteal vein 22 having a pair of depending deep cruraltrunks 24. The superficial vein 18 is connected to one of the deepcrural trunks 24 by a perforator vein 26. The trunks 24 are surroundedby a musculofascial compartment 28. Interdispersed about all of theabove are various fatty/cellulitic and connective tissues 30.

As discussed, known therapeutic compression garments apply a generallyeven or continuous pressure about the circumference of a patient's limbat any given point. Because of this fact, a patient is only able totolerate a certain amount of compression at any one time, limiting theeffectiveness of known garments Because of this limitation, most knowngarments only effect or assist primarily the superficial vein 18 inremoving fluid from the affected area. Again, this limits theeffectiveness of the garment.

A compression garment 10 made of fabric 12 according to the presentinvention, however, acts in a substantially different manner.Specifically, when a patient pulls on the compression garment 10, thefabric 12 stretches creating space between adjacent longitudinal yarns14. Because of the elastic nature of the lateral yarns 16, eachlongitudinal yarn 14 exerts a compression force on the skin or surfaceof the patient's limb, only at the point of contact between thelongitudinal yarn 14 and the skin. Actually, the “point of contact” isin fact a line of contact between the yarn 14 and the skin, about thelength of the longitudinal yarn 14. Because of the disparity in the sizeof diameter of the primary yarn 14 and the secondary yarn 16, thesecondary, or lateral yarns 16, do not exert any pressure directly onthe limb in comparison to the pressure exerted by the longitudinal yarns14.

This has at least two effects. First the construction of the fabric 12virtually eliminates any tourniquet effect found in prior art garments.Second, because in cross section, the longitudinal or linear compressionexerted by the longitudinal yarn 14 is felt by the limb at only discreetpoints about its circumference, it has been found that patients are muchbetter able to tolerate higher compression forces. This, in turn, allowscompression garments 10 constructed of fabric 12 according to thepresent invention to utilize greater pressures sufficient to assist thedeeper popliteal vein 22 in also removing fluid from the affected area.

As noted, the fabric 12 of the present invention may be used to create atubular stocking to assist in treating the feet, ankles or any portionof the legs. The fabric 12 may also be used to form a sleeve (FIG. 3)for treating the knee or elbow area; or the fabric 12 may be used toform a closed end tube (FIG. 4) for treating and assisting in swellingreduction for stumps in amputation situations. Additionally, it has beenfound that the fabric 12 of the present invention is effective intreating and reducing the appearance of cellulite and therefore thefabric 12 may be used to form a pair of shorts (FIG. 5) extending downall or a portion of the thighs or a pair of tights (not shown) extendingdown the entirety of the legs.

It has been found that the fabric 12 of the present invention may beused to treat edema, runner's edema, arm and neck edema, deep venousthrombophlebitis, cellulite, or as a primary burn dressing or a skingraft first dressing. The fabric 12 may be formed into any shapenecessary for treating any sort of swelling encountered in a patientwhatsoever.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross section of a patient's extremity. Shownis an exterior layer of skin 30, muscle 31, an artery 34, a lymphaticvessel 36, a vein 38 and a subcutaneous fat layer 40. The lymphaticvessel 36 and the vein 38 are each involved in the removal or flow offluid and blood out of the extremity. FIG. 7 shows the extremity in anormal state.

FIG. 8 shows the same extremity and elements in a diseased state.Particularly, the extremity of FIG. 8 is in a venous stasis diseasedstate. The subcutaneous fat layer 40 is swollen with various fluidsincluding blood. Also, the lymphatic vessel 36 is dilated as is the vein38. This is due, of course, to the fact that neither the lymphaticvessel 36 nor the vein 38 is operating properly.

FIG. 9 shows the same extremity and elements as originally shown in FIG.8. However, a known prior art compression stocking 70 has been appliedto the limb as represented by the thick bold line and the referencenumeral 70. It can be seen that the prior art compression stocking 70applies a consistent pressure to the extremity about the entirety of itsouter surface. It can also be seen that the lymphatic vessel 36 and thevein 38 are slightly compressed.

FIG. 10 shows the same extremity as originally shown in FIG. 8. However,a compression garment 10 according to the present invention has beenapplied to the limb. As mentioned above and as further discussed below,the compression garment 10 applies pressure to the extremity at morediscreet points along a circumference or outer layer of the extremitythan does the prior art stocking 70, creating a scalloped effect 72about the circumference of the extremity. The limb or extremityexperiences more concentrated pressure directly under each primary orlongitudinal yarn 14. It can be seen that both the lymphatic vessel 36and the vein 38 effectively experience or feel more compression with thecompression garment 10 according to the present invention than they dowith the prior art stocking 70 of FIG. 9.

The following is a discussion of the functionality of the presentinvention. The primary or longitudinal yarn 14 alone is essentially incontact with the skin 30. Of course, the lateral yarns 16 also come intocontact with the skin 30, but the lateral yarns 16 do not exert anyeffective pressure on the extremity. The primary yarns 14 have a soft orfuzzy outer surface. This fuzzy surface molds to the micro geography ofthe skin surface and “stents” the skin 30. Skin stenting will be furtherdiscussed below. The longitudinal fuzzy yarn 14 stents the skin 30holding the yarn 14 in place over a small strip of skin cells. Thelongitudinal yarns 14 do not move relative to furrows 32 of skin formedbeneath the longitudinal yarns 14, even with motion of the extremity.This prevents shearing injuries to the skin 30. The fact that skinshearing injuries do not occur with limb motion is a major improvementover older compression garments. Older compression garments, like thatshown in FIG. 9, slide more or less freely over the skin 30 andoccasionally produce shearing injuries. Shearing injuries also commonlyoccur with older compression garments when the tight garments are put onand removed.

The value of the “fuzzy” texture of the yarn 14 is established in themedical industry. Natural “fuzzy” sheep fur, “sheep skins” and fuzzysynthetic “sheep skin” is a skin care industry standard. “Sheep skin”padding is used on beds, orthopedic appliances, and on wheel chair seatsto prevent bed sores. The value of “fuzzy” textile material in contactwith the skin 30 is known in the medical profession. The fabric 12 ofthe present invention brings the benefits of fuzzy yarn skin stenting tocompression therapy.

Additional value from the longitudinal fuzzy yarn 14 includes itsinsulating properties. For instance, the plurality of substantiallyparallel primary yarns may be formed from a material capable of raisingthe temperature of a region of skin in contact with the plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns. In some instances, thelongitudinal yarn 14 insulates the skin 30 and generally raises the skintemperature one to three degrees F. It is known that elevating the skintemperature slightly can significantly increase blood flow to the feetof patients with arterial occlusive disease. Therefore, a compressiongarment 10 according the present invention tends to improve skinperfusion by warming the skin 30.

The longitudinal yarns 14 in the fabric 12 of the present inventiontends to create skin furrows 32 or “corn rows”, as noted above, whichcan be seen in cross section in FIG. 10. The furrows 32 may reach amaximum depth of 1.5 to 2.0 times the radius of the longitudinal yarn14. The longitudinal yarn 14 “presses in” and forms the furrows 32 inthe skin 30. These furrows 32 provide significant benefit to thepatient. The secondary or lateral yarns 16 transmit tension/compressiveforces to the longitudinal yarns 14. The longitudinal yarns 14 arethereby “stented” in place by the skin 30 over a given small surface ofskin 30. The longitudinal yarns 14 focus compressive force on a smallarea of skin 30. The pressure pushes the longitudinal yarn 14 into theskin 30 and the furrows 32 form in the skin 30. The longitudinal yarn 14acts somewhat like the point of a nail, focusing the energy of a hammerblow onto a tiny surface, creating infinite pressure that drives thenail to pass through solid oak. Similarly, the skin 30 in the furrow 32beneath the longitudinal yarn 14 experiences physiologically significantpressure.

The fuzzy outer surface may substantially stent and protect the skin inimmediate contact with the fuzzy surface, creating a fuzzy nexus, whileapplying compression to the skin in contact with the fuzzy nexus. Thus,when worn, a surface of a wearer's skin is in contact with a fuzzy skinnexus, and the fuzzy yarn skin nexus applies a force of compression tothe skin.

The transverse elastomeric fibers provide only the force of tensionbetween yarns. The transverse fibers for the most part are not infunctional contact with the skin. When in a state of tension, thetransverse elastomeric fibers provide a skin surface geography with aratio of compressed skin surface to substantially uncompressed skinsurface of about one to five between adjacent longitudinal yarns 14.

Under the force of elastomeric fiber tension, each longitudinal yarnforms a longitudinal furrow in the skin that acts a biological stent.Specifically, under the force of the lateral elastomeric fiber tension,each longitudinal yarn presses into the skin and the stents the skin.This compression of the skin forms a “corn row” furrow in the skinbeneath the fuzzy nexus of each longitudinal yarn. Also, under the forceof elastomeric fiber tension, the longitudinal yarn forming alongitudinal furrow in the skin tends to prevent relative movement ofeach longitudinal yarn with respect to the skin.

Fixed fuzzy longitudinal yarns 14 stretch the connected transversespandex elastomeric. The elastomeric spandex fibers are substantiallyunder only the force of tension and interact with the fuzzy longitudinalyarns 14 which are substantially under only the force of compression.Transverse elastomeric (e.g., spandex) yarns under tension between fixedfuzzy yarns under compression create a tensegrity structure. Thistensegrity structure, comprising a plurality of longitudinal yarns 14,fixed in cornrow furrows, under the force of compression, and transverseelastomeric spandex threads, under only the force of tension, translateslimb motion into changes in the length of the elastomeric components.Limb motion is translated into changes in the pressure of compressionevidenced by the stented skin in cornrow furrows. Pressure changes inthe skin may be caused by motion of the wearer.

The compression garment comprises a generally tubular stocking that hasa “fuzzy nexus” with at least one fifth of the surface of the coveredportion of a wearer's skin. That is, the 20 percent portion of the skinsurface is under physiologically useful compression. Indentations formin the 20 percent portion of the skin surface as a result of the forceof compression. The compression garment also provides four fifths of theskin, between fuzzy yarns, that is uncompressed. This uncompressed skinacts as a Sink for venous and lymphatic effluent drainage from thecompressed skin, provides uncovered skin surface for evaporation ofsweat, and provides uncovered skin surface for radiation of heat.

On a microscopic level, the following events occur in the skin beneaththe longitudinal yarn 14 in the furrow 32:

-   -   1.) The thin walled lymphatic vessels 36 (FIG. 10) in the fat 40        beneath the skin 30 are compressed and the lymph fluid in these        vessels is pushed/squeezed/wrung out by the external pressure        delivered by the longitudinal fuzzy longitudinal yarn 14. Skin        lymphatic vessels and skin veins have one way valves. Skin        pressure changes in this valved tissue structure produce a        venous and a lymphatic “physiologic pump” that clears swelling        from the skin and subcutaneous fat. Lymph fluid in healthy legs        is pumped back to the heart from the feet with increased        pressure gradients of 1 to 3 centimeters of water. Garments or        dressings 10 created with the fabric 12 according to the present        invention deliver a pressure to the sub dermal fat 40 in excess        of 3 centimeters of water in a “halo” 74 of pressure that        extends out from the skin furrow 32 beneath each longitudinal        yarn 14 and deeper into the fat 40 below the skin 30 than is        possible with prior art compression devices. This halo 74 of        pressure, from a cellular point of view, penetrates the fat 40        much deeper than pressure from older compression garments is        able to penetrate. This halo 74 of pressure, exceeding three        centimeters water, extends far into the tissue around the furrow        32. In this deeply penetrating halo 74 of high pressure,        lymphatic flow is greatly enhanced.    -   2.) The thin walled veins 38 in the fat 40 beneath the        longitudinal yarns 14 are emptied of their fluid which        constitutes deoxygenated blood rich in lactic acid. Veins 38 in        the lower extremity may require pressure gradients of 5 to 15        centimeters of water to return fluid toward the heart. Garments        or dressings 10 created with the fabric 12 according to the        present invention may deliver pressure in excess of 15        centimeters of water in a halo 74 of high pressure around the        longitudinal yarn 14/skin furrow 32. The cells beneath the        longitudinal yarn 14 in the zone of pressure above 15 cm of        water experience the following: perfusion by arterial blood in        the capillaries; pressurized arterial blood is the only fluid        that can enter the 74 of >15 centimeter/water tissue pressure.        This halo 74 of >15 centimeter pressure causes rapid out flow of        venous blood and lymphatic fluid, and causes elevated oxygen        tension in the tissues. The halo 74 of >15 centimeter pressure        penetrates the fat 40 much deeper than can pressure generated by        older compression devices because the compressive energy is        focused by the fluffy longitudinal yarn 14 stent and the        furrowing effect 32.

Furthermore, the oxygenated arterial blood in the capillaries beneaththe skin furrows 32 allows for, in the subset of patients with chronicvenous insufficiency, the “healing of venous stasis dermatitis.” Venousstasis dermatitis occurs, in simple terms, because of oxygen starvationthat occurs when fat 40 beneath the skin 30 is inundated by deoxygenatedvenous blood. Garments or dressings 10 created from the fabric 12according to the present invention generate significant tissuepressures. The present invention focuses this pressure deep below theskin 30 and delivers pressure that may result in the skin 30 seeingapproximately two to three times more tissue oxygen than with knowncompression devices. Physiologically, the tissue oxygen tension (PaO2)increases from approximately 30 to 38 Torr in venous stasis disease to80 to 101 Torr when the present invention is utilized. The skininflammation of venous stasis disease is called stasis dermatitis.Increased tissue oxygen pressure heals stasis dermatitis. Increasedoxygen beneath the skin furrow 32 leads to cells being able to “repair”themselves. Redness disappears. Hair follicles begin to produce hair inareas under treatment. Skin ulcers heal. This healing of venous stasisulcers with the present invention is dramatic when contrasted with oldercompression therapy devices. Older compression devices delivercompression to the entire surface of the extremity. Because of this,functional tissue pressure is ineffectively low in older compressiondevices.

The spaces between the longitudinal yarns 14 are beneficial to thepatient in at least five ways.

First, the spaces between the longitudinal yarns 14 allow forevaporation of perspiration. Older compression garments can became wetwith sweat. This trapped moisture can cause skin maceration. Maceratedskin greatly increases the risk and potential for skin shear injuriesand skin infection with bacteria or fungus.

Second, the spaces between longitudinal yarns 14 allow for the radiationof body heat. Garments or dressings 10 produced with the fabric 12according to the present invention remain cool and comfortable to wearin warm environments. Comfort enhances patient compliance. Oldercompression garments are extremely uncomfortable to wear in hot weather,making patient compliance poor.

Third, the spaces between the longitudinal yarns 14 allow for thelongitudinal yarns 14 to press into the skin 30 creating the previouslydiscussed skin furrows 32. The skin 30 between the furrows 32 is in azone of no pressure 42. In the no pressure zone 42, the lymphatic 36 andthe venous 38 vessels remain open. Lymphatic flow and venous flow cancontinue uninhibited toward the heart in the no pressure zone 42.Garments or dressings 10 produced with the fabric 12 according to thepresent invention do not create the tourniquet effect that is common inolder compression garments. This tourniquet effect may be the greatestshortcoming of existing compression garments. The circumferential skinconstriction of older compression devices blocks lymphatic and venousreturn to the heart. This tourniquet effect can actually contribute tothe pathological condition that the older compression garment wasprescribed to treat.

Fourth, the spaces between the longitudinal yarns 14 allow fornon-compressed skin 30 between the longitudinal yarns 14/skin furrows32. This non-compressed skin 30 allows the longitudinal yarns 14 tofocus a halo 74 of tissue compressive pressure deep into the fat 40below the skin 30. The no pressure zone 42 enables the halo 74 ofphysiologically significant tissue pressure to deeply penetrate the fat40 beneath the skin 30. Deep penetration encourages rapid tissue healingand rapid resolution of edema and other treatable conditions.

Fifth, when a garment or dressing 10 produced with the fabric 12according to the present invention is removed for bathing (or otherreasons) and replaced, the skin furrows 32 and the non-compressed skin30 in the no pressure zones 42 are rearranged. This routine change inthe location of the skin furrows 32 delivers therapeutic tissuecompressive pressure to essentially all of the cells in the extremityroughly about 40% of the time. Thus, all of the cells in the skin 30 andthe fat tissue 40 receive the benefit of high tissue pressures deliveredin the halos 74 that penetrate deeply beneath the longitudinal yarn 14fibers. In older compression devices, the tissue pressure is constant,but low, to all areas of the skin 30 beneath the compression device.

The secondary or lateral yarns 16 of the present invention have at leastfive benefits.

First, the lateral yarns 16 are (physiologically) not in contact withthe skin 30. In some instances, the plurality of secondary yarns areformed with an amount of space between at least two of plurality ofsecondary yarns adequate to provide evaporation of perspiration andradiation of body heat. Thus, the lateral yarns 16 may not preventevaporation of perspiration, or trap body heat.

Second, the lateral yarns 16 are not tightly woven in the fabric 12.There is less lateral yarn 16 per unit area than in older compressiongarments. The lateral yarns 16 give or stretch easily. This easystretching makes garments or dressings 10 produced with the fabric 12 ofthe present invention easy to put on and easy to remove. This increasespatient compliance. No special jigs are required to put the garment on,such as is often required in older compression garments. Elderly, frail,patients with poor vision can remove and replace the compression garment10 easily by simply pulling it on and off.

Third, the secondary or lateral yarns 16 help to prevent the risk ofshearing injury to the skin 30. The fabric 12 of the present inventiondoes not cause shearing injury to frail skin during the dangerousperiods when compression garments are put on and removed. This is animprovement over older compression garments.

Fourth, the lateral yarns 16 are fixed in place between the longitudinalyarns 14. The fluffy longitudinal yarns 14 stent individual skin cellsand the longitudinal yarns 14 remain more or less stationary or in placeduring extremity motion. For instance, the plurality of secondary yarnsdisposed between at least two of the plurality of substantially parallelprimary yarns and substantially equally spaced about a length of theplurality of primary yarns may lengthen and shorten during extremitymotion of a wearer and generate a dynamic change in tension translatableinto a compressive force on the plurality of substantially parallelprimary yarns suitable for acting as a dynamic pump for at least one ofa lymphatic vessel or a vein under a region of skin of a wearer.Extremity motion may transfer energy to the lateral yarns 16 as thelateral yarns 16 are stretched between the longitudinal yarns 14.Extremity motion causes the lateral elastic yarns 16 between thestationary longitudinal yarns 14 to shorten and lengthen. Thisshortening and lengthening of the lateral yarns 16 generates compressiveforce on the primary or longitudinal yarns 14. This shortening andlengthening of the lateral yarns 16 generates a dynamic compressivepressure. This dynamic compressive pressure acts as an engine thattranslates extremity motion into compressive force and further acts as adynamic pump for the lymphatic vessels 36 and the small veins 38 underthe skin 30. With extremity motion, therefore, the present inventiongenerates a dynamic change in tissue pressure that results in a pumpingaction in the veins 38 and the lymphatics 36 in the fat 40 beneath theskin 30.

Fifth, the lateral yarns 16 generate compressive forces that are focusedby the longitudinal yarns 14. Garments or dressings 10 made from thefabric 12 of the present invention have more “give” than traditionalcompression garments and are therefore more comfortable to wear thanknown compression garments. The patient does not have a “tightsensation.” As garments or dressings 10 made according to the presentinvention are comfortable to wear, patient compliance is high. This“comfort factor” is in marked contrast to older compression garmentsthat have an uncomfortable “tight squeeze” feel.

An externally treatable condition of a patient may be treated using thefabric 12. The method generally comprises the steps of providing acompression garment 10 comprised of the fabric 12 as described above,applying the compression garment 10 to an area of the patient having theexternally treatable condition such that the compression garment 10applies pressure to the area of the patient having the externallytreatable condition, and removing the compression garment 10 from thearea of the patient having the externally treatable condition after aperiod of time.

Referring to FIG. 11, a flow diagram illustrating a method 1100 forforming a compression garment according to an embodiment of thedisclosure is shown. Method 1100 may be utilized to form embodiments ofthe compression garment as described above. In a preferred embodiment,the method 1100 for forming a fabric includes, but is not limited toforming a plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns in asubstantially longitudinal formation 1102, forming a plurality ofsecondary yarns between at least two of the plurality of substantiallyparallel primary yarns and substantially equally spaced about a lengthof the plurality of primary yarns 1104, and connecting adjacent primaryyarns and secondary yarns to form a generally tubular configurationprovide continuous longitudinal arrangement of the plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns during any stretch state of theplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns 1106. The forming theplurality of secondary yarns between at least two of the plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns and substantially equally spacedabout a length of the plurality of primary yarns further includesarranging the plurality of secondary yarns to connect to adjacentprimary yarns at an angle greater to or less than 90 degrees withrespect to the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns. Themethod may further include utilizing a criss-crossing lateral stitch ona warp knitting machine to form the plurality of substantially parallelprimary yarns and the plurality of secondary yarns. The forming aplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns in a substantiallylongitudinal formation may further include forming the plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns from a material having a diameterapproximately 11 times larger than a diameter of a material utilized forforming the plurality of secondary elastomeric yarns. The forming aplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns in a substantiallylongitudinal formation may further include forming the plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns from a material having a fuzzyouter surface.

The forming a plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns in asubstantially longitudinal formation may further include forming theplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns from a materialcapable of raising the temperature of a region of skin in contact withthe plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns. The forming theplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns from a materialcapable of raising the temperature of a region of skin in contact withthe plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns may furtherinclude forming the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarnsfrom a material capable of raising the temperature of a region of skinin contact with the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarnsapproximately one to three degrees Fahrenheit.

The forming a plurality of secondary yarns between at least two of theplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns and substantiallyequally spaced about a length of the plurality of primary yarns mayfurther include forming the plurality of secondary yarns from anelastomeric material.

The forming a plurality of secondary yarns between at least two of theplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns and substantiallyequally spaced about a length of the plurality of primary yarns mayfurther include forming an amount of space between at least two ofplurality of secondary yarns adequate to provide evaporation ofperspiration and radiation of body heat. The forming a plurality ofsecondary yarns between at least two of the plurality of substantiallyparallel primary yarns and substantially equally spaced about a lengthof the plurality of primary yarns may further include forming theplurality of secondary yarns in a configuration fixing the plurality ofsecondary yarns in place between the plurality of substantially parallelprimary yarns. The forming a plurality of secondary yarns between atleast two of the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns andsubstantially equally spaced about a length of the plurality of primaryyarns may further include forming the plurality of secondary yarnsbetween at least two of the plurality of substantially parallel primaryyarns and substantially equally spaced about a length of the pluralityof primary yarns from a material configured to lengthen and shortenduring extremity motion of a wearer and generate a dynamic compressivepressure translatable into a compressive force on the plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns. The forming the plurality ofsecondary yarns between at least two of the plurality of substantiallyparallel primary yarns and substantially equally spaced about a lengthof the plurality of primary yarns from a material configured to lengthenand shorten during extremity motion of a wearer and generate a dynamiccompressive pressure translatable into a compressive force on theplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns may further includeforming the plurality of secondary yarns between at least two of theplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns and substantiallyequally spaced about a length of the plurality of primary yarns from amaterial configured to lengthen and shorten during extremity motion of awearer and generate a dynamic compressive pressure translatable into acompressive force on the plurality of substantially parallel primaryyarns suitable for acting as a dynamic pump for at least one of alymphatic vessel or a vein under a region of skin of a wearer.

The forming a plurality of secondary yarns between at least two of theplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns and substantiallyequally spaced about a length of the plurality of primary yarns mayfurther include forming an amount of space between at least two of theplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns adequate to provide apressure differential between a region of skin in contact with at leastone of the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns and aregion of skin covered by the plurality of secondary yarns. The formingan amount of space between at least two of the plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns configured to provide a pressuredifferential between a region of skin in contact with at least one ofthe plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns and a region ofskin covered by the plurality of secondary yarns may further includeforming an amount of space between at least two of the plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns applying a non-therapeutic amountof pressure to a region of a wearer covered the plurality of secondaryyarns. The forming an amount of space between at least two of theplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns adequate to provide apressure differential between a region of skin in contact with at leastone of the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns and aregion of skin covered by the plurality of secondary yarns may furtherinclude forming an amount of space between at least two of the pluralityof substantially parallel primary yarns adequate to create an amount oftension causing the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns toapply a substantially continuous amount of pressure to a region of awearer covered by the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns.

The forming an amount of space between at least two of the plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns adequate to provide an amount ofcompression causing the plurality of substantially parallel primaryyarns to apply a substantially continuous amount of pressure to a regionof a wearer covered by the plurality of substantially parallel primaryyarns may further include forming an amount of space between at leasttwo of the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns adequate toprovide an amount of tension causing the plurality of substantiallyparallel primary yarns to apply an amount of pressure sufficient tocreate a skin furrow within a region of a wearer covered by theplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns.

It has been observed that the compression garments 10 constructed fromthe fabric 12 according to the present invention assist in treating atleast the following conditions: any sort of edema including but notlimited to edema resulting from prolonged periods of or repetitiveexercise, resulting from high altitude or from venous insufficiency;skin ulcers due to venous insufficiency; venous stasis dermatitis;muscle recovery time by increasing the ability of the lymphatic systemto remove lactic acid and other toxic or “bad” substances from the areaof the muscle being exercised by the patient; enhanced healing of arepetitive use injury, including tennis elbow or other epicondylitis andshin splints (tibial compartment syndrome with periostitis) in runners;enhanced healing of skin graft donor site wounds; enhanced healing ofsplit thickness skin grafts; enhanced healing of burn wounds of alldegrees; enhanced hematoma absorption; swelling of any sort includingthat resulting from orthopedic or other injury; enhanced healing ofsurgical wounds, particularly in the extremities, including liposuction,vein stripping, and an injection of a sclerosing agent into asubcutaneous vein; treatment of cellulitis in soft tissue bacterialinfections; enhanced recovery from ascending lymphangitis when used inconcert with antibiotics; enhanced healing of neurotrophic dermatitisand enhances healing of neurotrophic ulcers of the lower extremity;enhanced treatment of extremity disuse edema such as may result fromspinal chord injury and/or stroke; treatment of congenital edema;treatment of and improvement of cellulite including preventing orreducing its progression; and also enhances treatment of multiple skinconditions such as hives, uticaria and contact dermatitis.

Although the above descriptions and figures focus primarily on treatingthe extremities, wounds, swelling or any other condition described abovethat may be located on the torso, head or other area of the body mayalso be treated using the fabric 12 according to the present invention.

While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described,numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing fromthe spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limitedby the scope of the accompanying claims.

1. A compression garment comprising: a plurality of longitudinal yarnsarranged to form a fabric having a length and generally parallel to thelength; and a plurality of transverse elastomeric yarns connectingadjacent longitudinal yarns and equally spaced about a length of thelongitudinal yarns where, each of the plurality of longitudinal yarnshaving a diameter approximately 11 times larger than the diameter ofeach of the plurality of transverse elastomeric yarns and, in astretched state, the longitudinal yarns are spaced from one another andremain generally parallel to the length.
 2. The compression garment ofclaim 1, wherein the longitudinal yarns have a fuzzy outer surface.
 3. Adevice comprising: a plurality of substantially parallel primary yarnsin a substantially longitudinal formation; a plurality of secondaryyarns between at least two of the plurality of substantially parallelprimary yarns and substantially equally spaced about a length of theplurality of primary yarns, the adjacent primary yarns and secondaryyarns connected to form a generally tubular configuration, the pluralityof secondary yarns connected to adjacent primary yarns at an anglegreater to or less than about 90 degrees with respect to the pluralityof substantially parallel primary yarns, and maintaining a continuouslongitudinal arrangement of the plurality of substantially parallelprimary yarns during any stretch state of the plurality of substantiallyparallel primary yarns, wherein each of the plurality of substantiallyparallel primary yarns in a substantially longitudinal formation have adiameter approximately 11 times larger than a diameter of each of theplurality of secondary yarns.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein theplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns and the plurality ofsecondary yarns are formed from a criss-crossing lateral stitch on awarp knitting machine to form the plurality of substantially parallelprimary yarns and the plurality of secondary yarns.
 5. The device ofclaim 3, wherein the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarnsare formed from a material having a fuzzy outer surface.
 6. The deviceof claim 3, wherein the plurality of substantially parallel primaryyarns are formed from a material capable of raising the temperature of aregion of skin in contact with the plurality of substantially parallelprimary yarns.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns formed from a material capable ofraising the temperature of a region of skin in contact with theplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns further includes: aplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns formed from a materialcapable of raising the temperature of a region of skin in contact withthe plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns approximately oneto three degrees Fahrenheit.
 8. The device of claim 3, wherein theplurality of secondary yarns are formed from an elastomeric material. 9.The device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of secondary yarns areformed with an amount of space between at least two of plurality ofsecondary yarns adequate to provide evaporation of perspiration andradiation of body heat.
 10. The device of claim 3, wherein the pluralityof secondary yarns are formed in a configuration fixing the plurality ofsecondary yarns in place between adjacent substantially parallel primaryyarns.
 11. The device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of secondaryyarns are formed from a material configured to lengthen and shortenduring extremity motion of a wearer and generate a dynamic compressivepressure translatable into a compressive force on the plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns.
 12. The device of claim 11,wherein the plurality of secondary elastomeric yarns formed from amaterial configured to lengthen and shorten during extremity motion of awearer and generate dynamic changes in elastomeric tension translatableinto an elevated compressive force on the plurality of substantiallyparallel primary yarns further includes: a plurality of secondary yarnsdisposed between at least two of the plurality of substantially parallelprimary yarns and substantially equally spaced about a length of theplurality of primary yarns formed from a material configured to lengthenand shorten during extremity motion of a wearer and generate a dynamicchange in tension translatable into a compressive force on the pluralityof substantially parallel primary yarns suitable for acting as a dynamicpump for at least one of a lymphatic vessel or a vein under a region ofskin of a wearer.
 13. The device of claim 3, wherein the plurality ofsecondary yarns are formed to provide an amount of space between atleast two of the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarnsadequate to provide a pressure differential between a region of skin incontact with at least one of the plurality of substantially parallelprimary yarns and a region of skin covered by the plurality of secondaryyarns.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the amount of space betweenat least two of the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarnsadequate to provide a pressure differential between a region of skin incontact with at least one of the plurality of substantially parallelprimary yarns and a region of skin covered by the plurality of secondaryyarns further includes: an amount of space between at least two of theplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns that is not under atherapeutic amount of compressive force.
 15. The device of claim 13,wherein the amount of space between at least two of the plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns adequate to provide a pressuredifferential between a region of skin in contact with at least one ofthe plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns and a region ofskin covered by the plurality of secondary yarns further includes: anamount of space between at least two of the plurality of substantiallyparallel primary yarns adequate to create an amount of tension causingthe plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns to apply asubstantially continuous amount of pressure to a region of a wearercovered by the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns. 16.The device of claim 15, wherein the amount of space between at least twoof the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns adequate toprovide an amount of tension causing the plurality of substantiallyparallel primary yarns to apply a substantially continuous amount ofpressure to a region of a wearer covered by the plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns further includes: an amount ofspace between at least two of the plurality of substantially parallelprimary yarns adequate to provide an amount of tension causing theplurality of substantially parallel primary yarns to apply an amount ofpressure sufficient to create a skin furrow within a region of a wearercovered by the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns.
 17. Amethod for forming a fabric comprises: forming a plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns in a substantially longitudinalformation; forming a plurality of secondary yarns between at least twoof the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns andsubstantially equally spaced about a length of the plurality of primaryyarns, further including arranging the plurality of secondary yarns toconnect to adjacent primary yarns at an angle greater to or less thanabout 90 degrees with respect to the plurality of substantially parallelprimary yarns, the forming a plurality of substantially parallel primaryyarns and the forming a plurality of secondary yarns including: formingthe plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns such that thediameter of each of the plurality of substantially parallel primaryyarns is approximately 11 times greater than a diameter of each of theplurality of secondary yarns; and connecting adjacent primary yarns andsecondary yarns to form a generally tubular configuration providecontinuous longitudinal arrangement of the plurality of substantiallyparallel primary yarns during any stretch state of the plurality ofsubstantially parallel primary yarns.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein the forming a plurality of secondary yarns between at least twoof the plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns andsubstantially equally spaced about a length of the plurality of primaryyarns includes: forming the plurality of secondary yarns in aconfiguration fixing the plurality of secondary yarns in place betweenthe plurality of substantially parallel primary yarns.